What does "ball in hand" mean in pool?
B · Beginner · The general rules · 2 of 6With the cue ball in hand, the shooter may place it anywhere on the table and keep moving it until they shoot. For most breaks, and in some games after fouls, it must go above the head string. A ball that has to be spotted goes on the long string, as close to the foot spot as possible.
How it works
- Anywhere: the cue ball may be placed anywhere on the playing surface and moved again until the shot.
- Moving it: by hand or with any part of the cue, including the tip, but not with a forward stroke.
- Above the head string: some games and most breaks limit placement to that area.
- All balls behind the line: with ball in hand above the head string and every legal ball also above it, the shooter may ask for the nearest one to be spotted.
- A ball on the head string: is playable.
- Spotting: on the long string, as close as possible to the foot spot, between it and the foot rail.
- Blocked: a spotted ball is placed touching the blocking ball if possible, but not touching the cue ball.
- No room below the spot: it goes above the foot spot, as close as possible.
The glossary has the ball in hand, the scratch, the break shot, the standard fouls, the frozen ball and the rack.
Tricky cases
The player nudges the cue ball forward with the tip to place it. Is that a shot?
Not if it is not a forward stroke. Placement with the tip is allowed.
The foot spot is taken by another ball. Where does a spotted ball go?
Behind it on the long string, towards the foot rail, touching the blocking ball if possible.
The cue ball sits right where the ball would be spotted. What then?
The spotted ball goes next to it with a small gap, never touching the cue ball.
With ball in hand above the head string, all the legal balls are also above it. What can the player do?
Ask for the legal ball nearest the head string to be spotted.
Why the rule exists
Ball in hand anywhere is the main penalty in most pool games, because a good player can often run the table from a placed cue ball. Fixed spotting places keep restored balls from being placed to suit either player.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 8-ball, 9-ball, 10-ball | Ball in hand anywhere after a foul | WPA 4.9, 5.7, 6.9 |
| Straight pool, one-pocket, bank pool | Cue ball in hand above the head string only after a scratch | WPA 7.9, 12.8, 13.9 |
| Blackball | Ball in hand in baulk | WPA 8.8 |
| Snooker | In-hand means the D | WPBSA Snooker 3.5 |
From the rule book
World Pool-Billiard Association, Rules of Play (effective 15 September 2025), General Rules 1.5 and 1.6 and Definition 2.20. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the WPA Rules of Play, revised from time to time.